Hartcran House, 231 Kenton Lane, Harrow, Middlesex, HA3 8RP, England

Tel: +44 (0) 20 8909 9595, Fax: +44 (0) 20 8909 2233, www.radiometrix.com

Door Monitoring and Alarms June 2009

Radiometrix K series Application note 001

Radiometrix code-hopping “K” products

such as KTX2 and KRX2 can be used to
implement an entry monitoring system.

Uses include private home alarm systems,

site monitoring and asset management.

Real-life case study

A householder having Bed & Breakfast guests wanted to know if selected private areas of the house were
being accessed. Locked doors were not an option since the private areas of concern were child bedrooms.
Various burglar alarm systems were considered but none seemed to address the exact needs of the
householder. A minimal impact and simple deployment were high priorities in this case.

Requirements

Wireless system

50 – 100m range

Two doors to be monitored (bedrooms)

Opening of a door activates a remote indicator and audible alarm

Closing the door has no effect

Comply with applicable legislation

Solution overview
For convenience in this particular example, two KFX2 (Keyfob) code-hopping transmitters were adapted for
use with changeover reed switches (one per door). The KTX2 module is essentially the same as a KFX2 but
without plastic case, buttons and batteries. A specific implementation could use KTX2 + battery + reed
switch all in one small case.

The remote indicator and alarm device used a KDEC-44, which is KDEC software implemented on a slightly
modified CTR44 demo board (This part is available as KDEC-44-000). Again, this was selected for
convenience – a KDEC board could have been used or (if relay outputs were not required) a KRX2.

The KDEC software itself was also slightly modified to provide true latched outputs (rather than a toggle
on/off). Up to four rooms could be monitored using a KDEC-44 board. To reset the outputs an external reset
input was added: this was wired to a push-button. This variation in KDEC software (and others) is available
on request when ordering your KDEC, or KRX2.

Radiometrix Ltd K series application note: door monitoring and alarms page 1
Door sensor - transmitter unit

KTX2 Module
Antenna
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Door Switch
(Magnetic Reed type)

NO
KTX2 Pin-out R
1 = RF OUT NC
2 = RF GND 6V C
3 = 0V
4 = V+
5 = S0
6 = S1
7 = S2
8 = S3
9 = Do not connect

Fig. 1: Wireless sensor circuit diagram

As can be seen from the diagram above, the implementation of a wireless sensor for door monitoring using
KTX2 is very simple: The addition of a single resistor, capacitor and low-cost magnetic reed switch is all that
is required. When the door is closed C charges from the battery through R. When the door opens C
discharges into one or several of the KTX input pins causing a transmission to occur. In the example shown
function code 8 (binary 1000) would be sent. One KTX2 input per door was used but up to 15 doors could be
monitored using the combinations that 4 inputs offer. If using a KRX2 at the remote monitoring station, the
addition of a 4 - 16 line decoder IC could form part of such a system.

Suggested values and types for R & C:

R = 1MΩ metal film

C = 10µF Tantalum 25V

The slow charging of capacitor C ensures a lack of “nuisance” alarms and prolongs battery life. It takes C*R
seconds (worst case) to provide enough charge to cause a transmission upon re-opening the door but
experimentation shows that around half this time can be sufficient. When C is fully charged opening the door
causes a transmission of approximately 3 seconds duration. Many individual (repeated) messages are sent
during this period, mitigating interference. C could be changed to 4.7µF and R increased to 2.2MΩ to
increase battery life (at the expense of transmission duration). If more than one input were to be connected
the transmission time would be reduced. For example, if all inputs were connected (to send function code
15, binary 1111) the transmission duration would be one quarter of a single input transmission.

Note that the capacitor does not provide the module power supply during transmission, it simply discharges
through the input pin(s). Tantalum or ceramic types should be used. Electrolytic capacitors are not suitable
because of their relatively high leakage current.

The 6V battery could be two lithium coin cells (as used in the KFX2 keyfob) or a photo-camera alkaline
battery type 4LR44 or PX28A, which is equivalent in physical size to a ½AA cell. Current drawn from the
battery during transmission is approximately 8mA (for KTX2 – 2mW standard version). When not
transmitting the current drawn is less than 1µA.

Radiometrix Ltd K series application note: door monitoring and alarms page 2
Remote indicator and alarm - receiver unit
Reset
0V +12V
LED-A Antenna
0V

Rx
COM Mode
Mute Room 1 Learn Low RF
NC Relay DB3 Batt BNC
NO
R3
Dy +12V (not fitted)
COM Micro.
Mute Room 2
NC Relay DB2 Receiver module
NO
Dx KDEC – 44 PCB
Ry COM
NC Relay DB1
Piezo Learn
buzzer NO button
ON
+12V
LED-B COM
0V 0V NC Relay DB0
NO Power 0V

Fig. 2: KDEC Remote monitor and alarm - wiring diagram

At the remote monitoring / alarm station the KDEC board is wired to light LEDs (one per monitored room: two
room example is shown in Fig. 2). A piezoelectric alarm sounder is connected via mute switches and a diode
logic OR circuit formed by Dx+Dy. Finally, a push-button switch provides the Reset input because once a
relay has been energised it is latched by the KDEC. The MODE DIP switches are all set to “ON”, to enable
Latched mode for all relay outputs. The door sensor transmitters are simply learned into the memory of the
decoder: press the Learn button and open a door. The transmitter identification is stored in the memory and
is retained when power is removed.

One point to bear in mind is that if the remote monitor is un-powered and a door is opened more than 14
times during this period then the door must be opened twice when the unit is re-powered in order to re-
synchronise the decoder. This is a security feature of code-hopping decoders more useful in control
situations. The remote monitor should therefore remain powered, or when re-powered the system should be
checked and if necessary re-synchronised to the transmitters as described above.

The assembly can be fitted into a plastic enclosure and powered from an inexpensive 12V wall adaptor. As
the relays are capable of switching 240VAC at several amps there are many possibilities for switching,
including external security lighting or powerful alarm sounders.

Fig. 3: Remote monitor station - external

Radiometrix Ltd K series application note: door monitoring and alarms page 3
 Fig. 4: Remote monitor station - internal

Fig. 5: KFX2 keyfob (internal) shown with additional resistor and capacitor

Radiometrix Ltd K series application note: door monitoring and alarms page 4
 Fig. 6: KFX2 keyfob (external) connected to reed switch with magnet shown

Expected range
Predicting the range obtainable in any given situation is notoriously difficult since there are many factors
involved. The main ones to consider are as follows:

Type and location of antennas in use (see below)

Type of terrain and degree of obstruction of the link path

Sources of interference affecting the receiver

“Dead” spots caused by signal reflections from nearby conductive objects

Radiometrix Ltd K series application note: door monitoring and alarms page 5
Assuming the use of ¼-wave whip antennas on both transmitter (@ 2mW) and receiver, the following ranges
may be used as a rough guide only:
Cluttered/obstructed environment, e.g. inside a building : 50-75m
Open, relatively unobstructed environment : 200-300m
It must be stressed, however, that range could be much greater or much less than these figures. Range tests
should always be performed before assuming that a particular range can be achieved in any given
application.

Antenna considerations and options

The choice and positioning of transmitter and receiver antennas is of the utmost importance and is the single
most significant factor in determining system range. The following notes are intended to assist the user in
choosing the most effective arrangement for a given application.
Nearby conducting objects such as a PCB or battery can cause detuning or screening of the antenna which
severely reduces efficiency. Ideally the antenna should stick out from the top of the product and be entirely in
the clear, however this is often not desirable for practical or ergonomic reasons and a compromise may need
to be reached. If an internal antenna must be used, try to keep it away from other metal components and pay
particular attention to the “hot” end (i.e. the far end), as this is generally the most susceptible to detuning. The
space around the antenna is as important as the antenna itself.
To minimise adverse effects, situate the antenna and module as far as possible from any such circuitry and
keep PCB track lengths to the minimum possible. A ground plane can be highly effective in cutting radiated
interference and its use is strongly recommended.
Two examples of antenna are given here for use at 433MHz in this application:

Whip (¼-wave). This consists simply of a piece of wire or rod connected to the module at one end. The
lengths given below are from module pin to antenna tip including any interconnecting wire or tracking (but not
including any 50Ω coax or microstrip connection). This antenna is simple, cheap, easy to set up and performs
well. It is especially effective when used with a ground plane, which in practice is often provided by the main
PCB or by a metal case.

Base-loaded whip. In applications where space is at a premium a shortened whip may be used, tuned by
means of a coil inserted at the base. This coil may be air-wound for maximum efficiency, or a small SMT
inductor can be used. The value must be empirically chosen to tune the particular length of whip for best
results “in situ”, making this antenna more difficult to set up. Radiated power will generally be slightly less
than that obtained from a ¼-wave whip.

L
wire, rod, PCB track
RF or a combination of these
1/4-wave whip L (mm) = 71250 / freq(MHz)

shortened wire, rod, PCB track etc.

RF with loading coil.
SMT inductor may be used if reqd.
Base-loaded whip

Fig. 7: Antenna configurations

Radiometrix can supply read-made antennas for use with the KDEC and KTX modules – see our website for
more details. In the practical example given in this application note a BNC terminated ¼ wave whip antenna
was used at the remote monitoring station.

Radiometrix Ltd K series application note: door monitoring and alarms page 6
Type Approval requirements: Europe

The equipment described will comply with the requirements of the R&TTE Directive (including standards EN
300 220-3 and EN 301 489-3) when used in the manner detailed in this application note.

Module mounting considerations

Good RF layout practice should be observed for best results. In particular, any ground return required by the
antenna or feed should be connected directly to the RF GND pins at the antenna end of the KTX2 module,
and not to the 0V pin which is intended as a DC connection. All connecting tracks should be kept as short as
possible to avoid any problems with stray RF pickup.
If the connection between module and antenna does not form part of the antenna itself, it should be made
using 50Ω microstrip line or coax or a combination of both. It is desirable (but not essential) to fill all unused
PCB area around the module with ground plane.

Variants and ordering information

The following UHF equipment is available as standard:

Part number RF power (typ.) Frequency

KTX2-433 +3dBm 433.92MHz
KFX2-433 Integral antenna 433.92MHz
KDEC-433-000 - 433.92MHz
KRX2-433 - 433.92MHz
1
KDEC-44-000 (board only ) - -
1
KRX416 (decoder I.C. ) - -

1
A suitable receiver module must be used in conjunction with these items – e.g. RX2G-433-15.

For greater range, more power and/or a lower RF frequency could be used. Remember that at VHF the
antenna will be physically larger. 173MHz is a UK-specific frequency band for Short Range Devices.

Part number RF power (typ.) Frequency

KTX2-433-10 +10dBm 433.92MHz
KTX1-173 +10dBm 173.25MHz
KDEC-173-000 - 173.25MHz
2
KDEC-44-000 (board only ) - -
2
KRX416 (decoder I.C. ) - -

2
A suitable receiver module must be used in conjunction with these items – e.g. NRX1-173.250-10.

Non-standard versions can be supplied to individual customer requirements. Minimum order quantities apply.
Please consult the Sales department for further information.

Conclusion
This application note has illustrated by way of an example how easy it is to use Radiometrix K series modules
and products to provide a wireless monitoring and alarm solution. In the example shown a domestic door
monitoring system was implemented but general and security applications for Radiometrix low-power RF
code-hopping systems are everywhere.

Radiometrix Ltd K series application note: door monitoring and alarms page 7
Radiometrix Ltd
Hartcran House
231 Kenton Lane
Harrow, Middlesex
HA3 8RP
England

Tel: +44 (0) 20 8909 9595

Fax: +44 (0) 20 8909 2233

sales@radiometrix.com
www.radiometrix.com

Copyright notice

This product data sheet is the original work and copyrighted property of Radiometrix Ltd. Reproduction in whole
or in part must give clear acknowledgement to the copyright owner.

Limitation of liability

The information furnished by Radiometrix Ltd is believed to be accurate and reliable. Radiometrix Ltd reserves
the right to make changes or improvements in the design, specification or manufacture of its subassembly
products without notice. Radiometrix Ltd does not assume any liability arising from the application or use of any
product or circuit described herein, nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties which
may result from the use of its products. This data sheet neither states nor implies warranty of any kind,
including fitness for any particular application. These radio devices may be subject to radio interference and
may not function as intended if interference is present. We do NOT recommend their use for life critical
applications.
The Intrastat commodity code for all our modules is: 8542 6000

R&TTE Directive
After 7 April 2001 the manufacturer can only place finished product on the market under the provisions of the
R&TTE Directive. Equipment within the scope of the R&TTE Directive may demonstrate compliance to the
essential requirements specified in Article 3 of the Directive, as appropriate to the particular equipment.
Further details are available on The Office of Communications (Ofcom) web site:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/

Information Requests European Radiocommunications Office (ERO)

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London SE1 9HA Tel. +45 33896300
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